annual report 08-09 - Public Interest Advocacy Centre

Submission to Report on Secure and Sustainable Urban Water
Supply and Sewerage Services for Non-Metropolitan NSW
(23 March 2009)
PIAC acknowledged the need for reform of local water utilities
but submitted that changes must be in the best interests of nonmetropolitan
customers and communities. To this end, PIAC urged
the NSW Government to aggregate water utilities only following
significant compliance failures or where there is agreement from the
local utilities. PIAC also submitted that the profit motive be divorced
from the provision of water and sewerage services.
Central Coast water prices: Submission to IPART Draft
Determinations and Draft Report on prices for water,
wastewater and stormwater services for Gosford City Council
and Wyong Shire Council (27 March 2009)
PIAC expressed concern that low-income and other disadvantaged
residents of the Central Coast will experience difficulty paying their
water bills. PIAC advocated that the NSW Government and Gosford
and Wyong Councils provide access to an adequate pensioner
rebate, hardship program and industry complaints scheme to assist
consumers to cope with the projected price hikes.
Protecting consumer protections. A submission regarding the
national harmonisation of Australian consumer (6 April 2009)
PIAC supported the development of a national Australian Consumer
Law, as it provides benchmark rules and an opportunity to establish
world’s best practice. Having these benchmarks promoted in every
jurisdiction will help make consumer laws more accessible and
ultimately should make consumers more informed of their rights.
Shield laws and the Evidence Act. A submission to the Senate
Inquiry into the Evidence Amendment (Journalists’ Privilege)
Bill 2009 (Cth) (8 April 2009)
The Evidence Amendment (Journalists’ Privilege) Bill 2009 (Cth),
inserts a new objects clause at the beginning of the Commonwealth
Evidence Act 1995 (Cth). The public interest recognised in the Bill is
limited to the media having access to sources of facts for the purpose
of communicating facts and opinion to the public. In this submission,
PIAC argued that the proposal in the Bill to limit the objects clause
by reference to the purpose for which the facts in question were
acquired is unnecessarily narrow, and the definition of ‘national
security’ for the purpose of the Bill remains unacceptably broad.
Clean and fair: Submission to the Senate Senate Select
Committee on Climate Policy (8 April 2009)
Whilst arguing that effective climate policy is important to the
interests of low-income and vulnerable households, PIAC highlighted
the need to ensure that climate policy does not undermine the goals
of the social welfare system. To achieve this, co-ordinated energy
efficiency programs must be a core component of the Government’s
climate change response.
Electricity price increases as of 1 July, 2009 (14 April 2009)
The IPART draft report, Market-based Electricity Purchase Cost
Allowance - 2009, highlighted the aggregated increases to domestic
electricity charges due to a number of different price reviews,
effective of 1 July 2009. PIAC responded with this letter to the Chair
of IPART, Dr Michael Keating, with concerns about the impact of the
price rises on low-income households.
Silent corruption. Section 37 of the NSW ICAC Act
(24 April 2009)
The removal of the common law right to silence through the
operation of section 37 of the Independent Commission Against
Corruption Act 1988 (NSW) is balanced by the fact that answers given
under objection cannot be used in civil, criminal or disciplinary
proceedings. The right to object is balanced in turn by the fact
that the Independent Commission Against Corruption can draw
inferences, or bring contempt proceedings, over a refusal to answer.
PIAC, in this submission, noted that it was not convinced that the
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PUBLIC INTEREST ADVOCACY CENTRE • ANNUAL REPORT 2008-2009